VIU Alumni

Ready for her next career move, Awula Adei Quaye decided to pivot from Ghana's private sector into public service. She graduated this past June and has already launched the next chapter of her career, working as a Constituency Advisor with Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson!

Learn more about Awula and her journey: https://news.viu.ca/blog/viu-mba-graduate-bc-public-servant

Meet Gillian Stuart, a VIU Esthetics and Spa Therapy alum, now the lead Medical Aesthetician at Campbell River Medical Aesthetics. 👩‍⚕️✨

From small class sizes to hands-on training, Gillian says her VIU experience gave her the confidence and skills she uses every day with her clients.

Read more about where a VIU education can take you: https://news.viu.ca/alumni-spotlight-gillian-stuart

From VIU classrooms to a thriving therapy practice, alum Andrea Thring is proof that following your curiosity can lead to meaningful work. 💫

Andrea’s journey spans theatre, drama therapy and clinical counselling. Today she helps clients navigate life’s challenges with creativity, care and an evidence‑based practice.

Check out our latest Alumni Spotlight to learn how her VIU experience shaped her path and why she believes the arts and mental health belong in the same conversation.

Read more: https://news.viu.ca/alumni-spotlight-andrea-thring

“It’s possible to live in both worlds – to be Indigenous and to play the game at an elite level.” ⚽️

VIU grad and Indigenous soccer player Mateo Kostering is proving exactly that. As founder of the Indigenous Athletics Academy, Mateo is using the sport that changed his life to support Indigenous youth, build confidence and create pathways in both sport and education.

From training on the pitch to mentoring the next generation, his work shows what’s possible when culture, community and high‑performance sport come together. We’re proud to celebrate Mateo and the impact he’s making for Indigenous athletes.

🧡 Keep an eye out for his story in national media coverage highlighting “Real Canadians” who are changing their communities through sport and leadership.

From surviving to thriving – Morgan Carey’s journey shows how financial support can change a life. Growing up in foster care, Morgan faced significant barriers on the road to university, but financial aid helped him earn a degree and build a successful career as a business leader in Nanaimo.

Thanks to generous community support, our Ripples of Change campaign has already raised more than $1 million to remove financial barriers for students just like Morgan. Ripples of Change aims to raise $2 million for scholarships, awards, bursaries and the Access Fund by Spring 2027. Want to help us keep the momentum going and create more stories like Morgan’s?

Read his story, then click on the link at the end: https://news.viu.ca/surviving-thriving

Meet your Class of 2026 and our newest alumni 🎓

Moving from Ecuador to Canada to finish a second degree meant adapting to a new country, a new school system and life far from home for Meylin Vasquez.

The Bachelor of Business Administration grad says her VIU experience went beyond academics – she’s grown as a person as well.
“I am most proud of completing my second degree abroad while adapting to a new country, language and academic system,” she says. “It has been a challenging but rewarding journey that has helped me grow both personally and professionally.” Read her story: https://bit.ly/3PICeM5

Watch Meylin and more than 1,200 other VIU grads cross the stage at convocation June 8 and 9. Congrats Class of 2026!

Meet your class of 2026 and our newest alumni!

From cancer research, including helping develop technology to study tumours, to presenting her work internationally, Emily Mahony made the most of her time at VIU. She graduated this spring with a double major in Biology and Chemistry. Read her story: https://news.viu.ca/blog/turning-campus-research-experiences-global-opportunities

Meet your Class of 2026 and our newest alumni 🎓Eleena Taheri (she/her) is graduating with the Bachelor of Science, Honours in Psychology & Biology. Here’s more from Eleena:

Why did you choose VIU?
I chose VIU for the opportunity to build meaningful connections with my professors and for the more hands-on learning experience that comes with smaller class sizes. I wanted to be part of a learning environment where I could actively engage with my courses, research and the people around me rather than feel like just another number in a lecture hall.

Can you share two highlights from your time at VIU?
Completing two extensive research projects in both the biology and psychology departments, and learning how to dissect an owl! Another major highlight was being able to present and defend my honours research both at CREATE and to my professors, which helped me grow tremendously as both a student and researcher.

What are you most proud of achieving since you began your studies?
I earned a bachelor’s degree at the age of 20 after graduating high school two years early and immediately beginning university. Balancing a double major, research, work and a heavy course load taught me discipline, resilience and confidence in my abilities. Looking back, I’m proud not only of the degree itself, but also of the growth that happened throughout the process.

What is one thing your peers or profs may remember about you after graduation?
The girl who took eight classes a semester to finish her double major. I think they’ll also remember how passionate I was about learning and constantly challenging myself academically.

What’s next for you?
I hope to attend medical school and become a cardiothoracic surgeon, but I also love research in the field of neuroscience. I’m torn between becoming a part-time surgeon and researcher because my heart truly lies within the realm of science.

Watch Eleena and more than 1,200 other VIU grads cross the stage at convocation June 8 and 9. Congrats Class of 2026!

Meet your Class of 2026 and our newest alumni 🎓Lexa Pritchett (they/them) is graduating with a Technical Theatre Diploma. Here’s more from Lexa:

Why did you choose VIU?
I’ve enjoyed theatre since I was young and was at a crossroads for what I wanted to study in university. After an unfortunate senior year in high school, I wanted to take the path of something I truly enjoyed. I chose VIU because the Theatre program is a perfect fit for me. I was already an actor and wanted a chance to explore the technical side of things and make it the career I want togo into. VIU’s Theatre program offers a ton of opportunities and hands-on experience with what to expect out in the real world and it drew me right in.

What are some VIU highlights?
One of my favourite projects this year was getting the chance to sound design for the theatre’s main stage production of Cyrano de Bergerac directed by Leon Potter. It was excellent forexpanding my knowledge in sound and it was so fun to play a supportive creative role in such a powerful story. On the other side of that the mainstages really bring everyone together and multiple occasions to go hang out as a group. Going to Smitty’s during Cyrano was incredibly fun and I couldn’t stop laughing the whole time.

What are you most proud of achieving since you began your studies?
Any event or show I’ve been a part of. I’ve had many opportunities over my two years at VIU to assist with, act in or be the producer of different events. All of them, no matter how stressful, were wonderful to see come together in the end.

What do you wish your first-year self knew on your first day?
Take the time to try and let go of things in the past or mistakes you make as you start out. It’s all a part of learning yourself and whatever you’re studying.

What’s next for you?
I am going to remain on the Island for a while longer and work on progressing my skills in tech to make theatre/live events my career.

Watch Lexa and more than 1,200 other VIU grads cross the stage at convocation June 8 and 9. Congrats Class of 2026!

Meet your Class of 2026 and our newest alumni 🎓Matthias Hannesson (he/him) is graduating from the Bachelor of Science, majoring in Mathematics. Here’s more from Matthias:

Why did you choose VIU?
So that I could stay near my family and friends, and continue to enjoy the wonderful nature of Vancouver Island!

Can you share a couple highlights from your time at VIU? Spending time studying math with the wonderful people in the math learning centre, and being treasurer of the badminton club.

What are you most proud of achieving since you began your studies?
Co-authoring the paper Multiplicative groups avoiding a fixed group with Dr. Greg Martin of UBC.

What is one thing your peers or profs may remember about you after graduation?
My many ramblings about cohomology and other mathematical delights.

What advice would you give students about studying at VIU?
Spend lots of time in the company of others.

Looking back, what do you wish your first-year self knew on your first day?
Nothing I didn’t already know. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Can you give us a random fact about yourself?
I like to make syrups from time to time.

What’s next for you?
I will be going to Université de Montréal to do my master’s in pure math under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Granville, specializing in analytic number theory and sieve theory.

Watch Matthias and more than 1,200 other VIU grads cross the stage at convocation June 8 and 9. Congrats Class of 2026!